Boeing has been working on a software update fix for its 737 Max aircraft after they were grounded across the globe following two fatal crashes merely six months apart. The company has now confirmed that it has completed work on the software update which is meant to address the software flaws which contributed to the crashes.
The Federal Aviation Administration had announced in March that tentative approval had been granted to the software update. Boeing was expected to release it in April but the company decided to take additional time to ensure that all of the issues had been identified and addressed appropriately.
Despite the tentative approval having been granted a couple of months ago, the software update still has to run the gauntlet of FAA testing before it can be certified. Boeing is currently providing the FAA with additional information such as how pilots interact with the plane controls and displays during various flight scenarios. The company’s CEO has said in a statement that “We’re committed to providing the FAA and global regulators all the information they need, and to getting it right.”
As part of the update, the 737 Max’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System or MCAS will look at data from both of the aircraft’s angle-of-attack sensors instead of just one as before. If it finds a discrepancy of 5.5 degrees or more, the system won’t be enabled automatically. Even if it engages, pilots will be able to counteract to it if required.
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